Typographical distributing machine



March 19, 1929;

H BURT TYPOGRAPHICAL msmxsu'rnge mbumm Filed May 12. 1928 ZZYM M BY w ATT RNEYI INV NET Q HAROLD A. BURT, OF ST. ALBANS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO 'MERGENTHALEE LIN TYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

arena 1 TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Application filed. May 12,

This invention relates to typographical distributing machines, such as linotype -ma chines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No. 436,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a channeled magazine in the order in which they are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed'line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or. linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter distributed according to character and returned through a channeled magazine entrance to the magazine from which they started. In these machines, the magazine entrance is usually provided with a series of partitions which divide it into matrix channels and which are formed at their lower ends with bent-over flanges arranged to guide the matrices by their projecting ears as they pass to the magazine (see the Butts Patent No. 1,099,486). These flanges are intended to direct the matricesregardless of thickness F- properly into the magazine channels but it has been found that the thinner matrices for one reason or another get out of control and often tilt orvibrate astheypass into the magazine. While this condition, in any case,

. is more or less objectionable, it becomes seri-. ous where the entrance channels are extremely wide, since the thinner matrices are allowed greater freedom both before and after they engage the flanges and frequently lodge beneath the latter or are so delayed in their travel as to be overtaken by succeeding matrices. The present invention is intended to ol viate'the above difficulties and contemplates means whereby the matrices, whether thick or extremely thin, in passing through the en trance channels, will be positively guided by their projecting ears into a definite predetermined position before they are discharged. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, such means include, bent-over guiding flangeswhich are formed with straight guiding edges disposed in spaced parallel relation to the side walls of the channels and whose length corresponds approximately to the lengthof the matrices. Light spring plates are also employed to guide the matrices by their side faces into proper engagement with the flanges, the said plates being sufficiently strong to exert the required guiding efiect 1928. Serial No. 277,146.

upon the thin matrices and yet flexible enough to be pushed aside by the thicker matrices without interrupting their passage (see the Kennedy Patent, No. 1,648,051).

In. the accompanying drawings, the invention hasbeen shownmerely in preferred form and by way of example but obviously many variations and alterations may be made therein and in its mode of application which will still be comprised within its spirit. It should, therefore, be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except in so far as such limita-' tions are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: r Fig. 1 is a Vertical section taken through with thepresent improvements;

Fig. 2 1S a fragmentary view showing the relation existing between the entrance partis the upper part of a linotype machine equipped:

tions and the magazine channels,"the top,

plates of both entrance and magazine being omitted; I

Fig. 3 is a comparative View, similar to Fig.

2, showing the regular construction; and

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one;

of the entrance partitions with the improved matrix guiding means attached thereto.

The invention is herein shown as applied 7 to a machine equipped with a multiple distributor which consists, in part, of the longitudinally ribbed or. permuted bars B and v the associated set of matrixxconveying screws B The, matrices X are stored in the magazines A which are provided on the inner faces of their top and bottomplates A with a series of opposing grooves a wherein the pro jecting ears 00 m of the matrices engage. Matrices released from the distributor bars are conducted to the magazine through the magazine entrances D, the latter each comate series of partitions (Z which divide them into chutes or channels leading from the variflared portion of the grooves a andare intendprising the side plates D and .the intermedi- 1 ed to guide the matrices by their projecting ears just before they enter the magazines. These flanges may be formed directly on the partitions (Z or on separate plates secured to the partitions. So far as described, the parts are or may be the same as those presentedin the patents toButts or Kennedy before mentioned and to which reference may be had, if desired.

According to the present invention, the flanges (Z are designed soas to engage simultaneously all four projecting ears x 0& of the matrices as the latter reach the discharge end ofthe entrance I), and in this way align the matrices with the magazine grooves so that they may pass uninterruptedly into the magazine. The improved flanges as herein illustrated (see Fig. 4) are formed on separate pieces of sheet metal riveted or spot welded to the partitions (Z near the lower ends thereof, and project transversely across the in dividual channels to within a given distance of the opposing partitions. provided, Whilewide enough to accommodate the earsof the thickest matrices, is preferably 7 made less than the combined width of the ears of two thin matrices so that only one matrix at a time may pass therethrough; As shown at the extreme left of Fig. 2, the straight 30'- position flush against the partitions (Z until they aredi'scharged; it being'notedt-hat the upper ears :8 of the matrices will be confined between the guiding edges d and the opposing partitions d until the lower ears m thereof have reached the restricted portion of the magazine grooves a. The matrices are thus maintained under positive control, without danger of tilting or displacement, from the time they pass into engagement with the guiding flanges until they clear the discharge;

end of the magazine entrance D.

The advantages of the improved construction will be more easily recognized by refer ence to Fig. 3, which shows the old or regular type of guiding flanges. Here it will be noted (like characters being used to indicate the corresponding parts), that the thin matrices in passmg the flanges (Z are momentarily free to 4311i) or vibrate as soon as their lower ears 00 enter the flared portion of the magazine in channels of extreme width and gives rise to the difficulties hereinbefore mentioned.

The upper edges (Z of the improved flanges (Z are also inclined at'their upper ends and,

in channels of moderate width, would in themselves suflice to direct the matrices by their projecting ears into engagement with the straight guiding'edges d*. In the pres- The space thus ent instance, however, auxiliary guiding elements in the form of light spring plates E Having thus described my invention, its

construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letter Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. In or for a typographical machine for handling matrices formed at their upper and lowerends with projecting ears, a matrix distrlbutmg chute or channel presentmg'oppo site side walls for guiding'the matrices by their side faces and provided at-its discharge end with guiding means capable of engaging both the upper and the lower projecting earsof the matrices simultaneously in order to= maintain the-matrices in a definite'predetermined position before they are discharged.

2. In or for a typographical machine for handling matrices formedat their upper and lower ends with projecting ears, a matrix distributing chute or channel provided at its discharge end with flanges arranged to guide the matrices by their projecting ears, the said flanges being of a length equal to-that of the matrices so as to be capable-of engaging both the upper and the lower ears of the matrices simultaneously before the latter are dis charged; 7

3. In or for a typographical machine'for handling matrices formed at their upper and.

lower ends with projecting ears, a mat'rixdistributing chute or channel provided at 1tsd1scharge end with flanges arranged to guide the matrices by their projecting ears, said flangespresenting straight guiding edges disposed adjacent and parallel to the side wall of the chute, and said guiding edges being of a length equal to that of the matrices so as to be capable of engaging both the upper andthe lower ears of the matrices before the latter are discharged.

4- In a typographical machinefor handling matrices formed at their upper and lower ends with projecting-ears, the combina tion of a channeled magazine, and a channeled magazine entrance provided at its discharge end'with flanges formed with straight guiding edges for directing the matrices by their pro ectlng ears into the magazine channels, the said guiding edges being long] enough to engage both theupper and the lower earsof the matrices before the latter are discharged into the magazine...

5. In or for a typographical machine for handlmg matrices formed at their upper and lower ends with pro ecting ears, a matrix distributing chute or channel provided at its discharge end with flanges arranged to guide the matrices by their projecting ears, and a resilient member readily displaceable by the passing matrices for guiding the matrices by their side faces into proper engagement with the flanges, the said flanges being of such length as to be capable of engaging both the upper and the lower ears of the matrices simultaneously before the latter are discharged.

6. In or for a typographical machine for handling matrices formed at their upper and lower ends with projecting cars, a matrix dis-' tributmg chute or channel provided at its discharge end with flanges arranged to guide the matrices by their projecting ears and having straight guiding edges whose length equals that of the matrices, and a spring plate associated with the flanges for guiding the matrices by their side faces into proper engagement therewith, the said spring plate being readily displaceable by passing matrices and arranged with its lower end terminating in advance of the guiding edges of the flanges.

77. In or for a typographical machine for handling matrices formed at their upper and lower ends with projecting cars, a matrix dis-j 'tributing chute or channel provlded at its discharge end with bent-over flanges arranged to guide the matrices by their projecting ears, and a resilient guiding member readily displaceable by the passing matrices for guiding the latter by their side faces into proper engagement with the flanges, said flanges being formed with straight guiding edges disposed in spaced parallel relation to the side wall of the chute and whose length equals that of the matrices, for the purpose described.

In testimonywhereofj I have affixed my signature hereto. 7

HAROLD A. BURT. 

